Biography / CV

Biography

Dernol Valley

After leaving school at 15 and working in industry for 6 years, I did a Foundation Course in Art & Design at Mid-Cheshire College of Art and Design in Northwich, and subsequently did a 3-year Textile Design Diploma course at Derby Lonsdale College. On completion of my course in the early 1980s I moved to Wales to work in Laura Ashley’s textile design studio, for most of the time as Senior Colourist on the dressware print collections.

I left Laura Ashley in 1989 and became a freelance artist and designer. From 1993-95 I studied part-time, painting, printmaking & drawing at the School of Art, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, where I gained a Postgraduate Diploma in Studio Studies.

I have exhibited in art centres, galleries, in Wales & England, and have twice been an Artist in Residence at the ‘Nature in Art’ gallery in Twigworth, Gloucestershire.

I have undertaken many commissions, for both individuals and commercial companies, producing paintings, banners and surface-pattern designs for wrapping paper. I enjoy experimenting with different materials, both traditional and contemporary.

As a workshop leader I have worked for many organisations, including Oriel Davies Gallery in Newtown, Arts Care, Carmarthen, Celfogwmpas in Llandrindod Wells, Compton’s Yard Trust in Llanidloes, and Community Arts Rhayader and District (CARAD), delivering workshops and as Project Manager for a ‘Youth in Action’ project that included producing public art in Llanidloes. I have collaborated with the Dragon Collective, a Wales-based music and arts organisation, on many projects since 1996.

Alongside developing my own work, I have been a mentor at various times and until 2016 a complementary education tutor for art, design and textiles through ‘People Services’ for Powys County Council.

Amongst the artists whose work I find inspiring are Howard Hodgkin, Kandinsky and Escher.